Vegetable digger



Jan. 22, 1952 w. w. TRANTER ET AL VEGETABLE DIGGER 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 23, 1949 ow v 9 a x a g D m vs a a um-h t. 2 mo Q m w @w E E E. E Hm Nb Oh W Wm Q @Q X Q. N 1 Rm N -1 i 2 w v Q n m a aw vm m u Q Q k y Watson 114F222? fer Marty CJfoZZzzgger 3ZM3 mum Mow-0g 1952 w. w. TRANTER ET AL 58324 VEGETABLE DIGGER' "Filed March 23, 1949 6 Sheets-SheefS Fg a 11/5250?! M 77237116? harry CJfbZZzrger awue/wtom 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 OMN JrwmM Waison M Ti'aviet" izargz; Gffollzzger mun/L Lu- 6W- 1952 w. w. TRANTER n AL VEGETABLE BIGGER Filed March 23, 1949 Jan. 22, 1952 w. w. TRANTER ET AL VEGETABLE DIGGER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 23, 1949 awe w g Jan. 22, 1952 W. W. TRANTER ET AL VEGETABLE BIGGER 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 23, 194? Patented Jan. 22, 1952 2,583,241- VEGETABLE DIGGER Watson W. Tranter and Harry C. Hollinger, York, Pa., assignors to A. B. Farquhar Company. York; Pin, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application Marches, 1949, Serial No. 32,935

16 Claims.

This invention relates to vegetable diggers and particularly to those diggers wherein the digger mechanism is lifted by power such as hydraulic means.

In the use of diggers, as for xample, potato diggers, it is -rahle to lift the digging mechanism in as short a travel distance as possible. With potato diggers depending entirely upon the forward movement of the machine for raising the diggin mechanism from the ground, it is necessary to travel some distance in getting the digger point out of the ground. This is sometimes inconvenient, especially where the field is cultivated. to a line near the edge of the field.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved vegetable digger wherein the digging mechanism is lifted by power.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved vegetable digger which may be lifted bodily from the ground.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved vegetable digger having a bell crank between the axle and digger supporting frame.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an improved vegetable digger having a parallel motion lever mechanism for lifting both ends of the digger simultaneously.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved vegetable digger wherein the digging frame is movable relative to the supporting wheels by a mechanism located adjacent to the wheels.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved vegetable digger wherein there are provided hydraulic means for lifting both ends of the digging means at the same time.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provisi n of a plow means between digger mechanisms, where two dig ers are used on the same machine, to turn earth and weeds into the paths of the digger means.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the complete specification and claims.

Referring to the drawing wherein is illustrated an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. l is an "evationa. View of the invention showing the di ger means out of the ground, cer tain parts being broken away for the sake of more clearly illustrating the construction.

Fig. 2 is view rilar to l but with the digger means operating below the ground surface.

Fig. 2a is a view showing the portion of the right side of the machine beyond the broken line of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the invention with the moving parts in the position illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail elevational view of the height adjusting mechanism for the rear end of the digger means.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the means for fastening the frame to the digger supporting shaft.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the connection of the plow to the main frame.

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a' different lifting mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a view of the form of the invention of Fig. 7 but in the position illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8a is a view showing the portion of the right side of the machine beyond the broken line of Fig. 8.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the structure illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail elevational view of a form of height adjusting means for the digger unit.

Figs. 11 and 12 are detail views of the plowlifting connections for the respective forms illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 and Figs. 7 to 9.

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but of the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7 to 9.

Similar reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the specification and drawing.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, there are two digging means shown, mounted on a frame comprising a main frame and each having its digger frame.

The main frame consists essentially of a U-shape member 25 of sufficient width to enclose the digging mechanism and having a forwardly extending rigidly connected extension 2| which latter is provided with a caster wheel bearing 22. On the bearing 22 is mounted a fork 2-3 which carries a caster wheel 24 for supporting the forward end of the main frame 2%.

On the forward end of the U-shaped member 20 are rigidly mounted the bracket members 25 having upper and lower bearings 25 and 25*. Also mounted rigidly on the U-shaped frame member 23 are brackets carrying the segments 26. The teeth 23 of the segment 23 are arranged in the arc of a circle about the upper bearing 25 of the bracket 25. Pivoted on the upper bearing l5 of the bracket 25, is a bell crank depthadjusting lever 2? having the usual springpressed detent 27 in position to engage anyone of the teeth 23 of the segment 25 according'to the desired position of adjustment, as will be later described.

At the rear ends of the U-shaped frame 20, is a shaft 28 which extends the width of the digger and on which are mounted bell crank levers 29 having rearwardly extending arms 29*. At the rear ends of the arms 29 are pivoted wheels 30. As a part of the bell-crank lever and rigid with the arms 29 and supporting the inner ends of the wheel pivots 3!) are the plates 25*. Also rigid with the arms 29 and the plate 29 are arms 29 which at their outer ends are connected to the upper portion of the plate 29*. At the point where the plate 29' and the arm 29 come together at 3 l, is pivoted the outer end of a plunger rod 32 which is connected to a piston within an hydraulic cylinder 33. This hydraulic power cylinder 33 is pivoted at one end to the main frame at 34. The hose connection 35 is connected to an hydraulic pump on the tractor (not shown) or it may be as herein illustrated, connected to an hydraulic pump 36.

The pump 36- is provided with a power shaft 37 which is illustrated as being, though not necessarily, operated from power taken from the tractor.

By expulsion of the plunger 32 by means of the hydraulic pressure from the pump 38, the angular position of the rear end of the main frame 20, with relation to the arm 29*, is changed with the result that the transverse shaft 28 is raised when pressure is applied within the cylinder 33.

The shaft 28 is in the form of a tubular digger body support, and extends across the whole machine to the corresponding wheel support on the opposite side of the digger.

The tubular digger body support 28 is in two sections. The inner end of each section i provided with a flange 38, these two flanges being bolted together with a suitable spacer 39 therebetween.

It will be noted that each side of the forwardly extending member 21 is connected to one side of the U-shaped frame 20, by coacting flanges 29 and 2| with a suitable spacer 20 between the flanges. Suitable bolts hold the coacting flanges and spacers together to form one main bridge-frame 20, 2|. If it is desired to operate the digger on rows of various widths, it is only necessary to replace the spacers 20 and 39 with spacers of different width. If and when this is done, since there are two spacers 20 and only one spacer 39, the change in width of the spacer 39 will be twice the change of width of the n spacers 20 The digger frame 40 is slidably mounted on the tubular supporting member 28 in blocks 4! which are held in position by block guides 42. r The digger frame 40 has forwardly and upwardly inclined frame members 40 which are provided at their forward ends with a rigid transverse tubular bearing member 43, which extends across its own digger frame. Intermediate, the ends of the tubular member 43 are rigidly secured two forwardly extending members 43. These forwardly extending members 43 carry the vertical weight of the forward end of the digger as will be later described.

Pivoted at the ends of the tubular member 43 and extending forwardly is a draft frame having two forwardly converging arms 44 which are rigidly connected together at their forward ends and are pivoted to the lugs 25 by the pivots 25 already mentioned. To strengthen the converging arms 44, there is provided a cross brace 44* which extends therebetween and is connected at its ends to the arms 44 near their rear pivot points 43'. In the double row digger as illustrated, the function of the draft frame 45, 44 is to draw its digger forward under any of the varying conditions of work or travel. The details of the lifting mechanism of the forward end of the digger will now be described.

The lifting and lowering of the rear ends of the diggers through operation of the plunger-s 33 and the turning of the bell crank arms 29 has already been described. As it is desirable to lift both ends of the digger simultaneously, a parallel motion mechanism has been provided which coacts with the rear lifting mechanism to lift both ends equal distances and at the same time.

Fulcrumed also on the pivots 43 of the tubular member 43, are levers 45. To the lower ends of these levers are pivoted the forward ends of the respective forward mechanism lifting links 46 as at 46 The rear ends of the lifting links 46 are pivotally connected at 46 to the plates 29 of the rear frame lifting mechanism. It will thus be clear that when the plates 29 move rearwardly about the axis of the pivot shaft 28, the levers 45 will approach a vertical position, for a purpose to be presently described.

At the rearward or upper ends of the lever members 45 is a pivoted bar 41 carrying compression arms 4'! which at their upper ends are, in turn, pivoted to lifting levers 48. These lever-s 48 are pivoted intermediate their ends, as at 48 to the forwardly extending members 43. The forward ends of the levers 48 are pivoted, as at 48 to short compression links 49. At their lower ends, the compression links 49 are pivoted, as at 49 to the secondary lifting lever 50. There are two of these secondary levers 50 which are pivoted at their rear ends to a pivot 59 in the forwardly extending member 43 which latter is, as already described, integral with the digger frame.

It is to be understood that the inside members 46 are pivoted to upwardly extending arms 28 secured to the shaft 28 adjacent the flanges 38.

The forward end of the lever 50 is pivotally connected to an adjustable tension link 5 l, at SP The upper end of the tension link 5| is pivotally connected, as by any one of many openings at iii to the arm 27 of the bell crank depth adjusting lever 27, already described.

The power shaft 31 is provided with suitable universal joints 3'! which conduct the power through a suitable gear shift box 60 to a dilferential box 6| from which extend shafts 62, 63 which are provided with suitable universal joints I52 and 63. These transverse shafts 53 extend to sprockets 54 which carry driving chains 65 for the endless belt of the potato digger. These chains 65 are carried at their lower ends by the sprockets 66 mounted on shafts 6'1. There is a shaft 61 for each digger upon which are mounted conveyor sprockets 68. These sprockets 68 carry the digger conveyor 69.

A distinct advantage is obtained by this construction having the drive sprockets at the rear, in that the tendency is to hold the conveyor taut on both the elevator and delivery ends of the conveyor.

In order to keep the weeds clear of the diggers, there is provided a plow means, as illustrated, a pair of disk plows which have their forward edges close together to separate the weeds, their rear edges being separated to throw the dirt and 5. weeds to right and left into the-paths of the diggers.

The disks 1'0 are supported on spindle bearings ll mounted on a plate 12-,- to which are pivctally connected, as at 13 a pair of forwardly extending draft bars 73. These draftbars are pivotally connected, as at 13 to lugs 2i mounted on the lower sides of the forwardly extending arms 2|.

Pivotaliy connected to the plate 12 are apair of toggle links 14 extending upwardly and connected at their upper ends to a pin pivot 15, to which, in turn, is connected, a second toggle, link 2'6 and a'rearwardly extending U-shaped clevis 1!. The second toggle link is pivotally connected to a lug 252 depending from the' center-of the U-shaped main frame 20.

The U -shaped clevis ll which, as already stated, is connected at-lts forward end to the pin pivot '15; has connected to its rear-end the-disk depth control rod lliwhich extends rearwardly to a hand operated lever'l9. The control rod I8 extends through the center of the- U shaped olevis l? and is slidable therein;

This control rod 78 carries a head l8 at its forward end and a collar 78 rearwardly of the clevis ll. Forwardly of the opening where the control rod 78 passes through the clevis 7'! is a spring 3 which operates when and after the disks 15 are lifted from their operating position. Between the collar 18* and the clevis and sur-- rounding the control rod 18 is a spring 8| which is in operation when the disks are in the ground to take the shock as when the disks may engage a stone.

The hand operated lever 18 is fulcrumed at its lower end in a a toothed segment 82 which is rigidly mounted on one of the links 46 at the inner side of one of the diggers. As this link moves rearwardly in its action to assist in raising the forward end of the digger, the toggle formed by the links 14 and I6 tends to reach an acute angle, thus lifting the disks from the ground. In the reverse operation when the-diggers are lowered, the toggle links T4 and 16, approach positions in line and the disks [0 are lowered. By adjusting the hand lever 19 to various positions, the depth of the disks 10 can be controlled.

In operation with the power shaft 31 taking power from the tractor to operate the hydraulic pump 36, and with the plungers 32, expelled to bring the digging means above ground, as illustrated in Fig. l, the operation of the pump control rod 36, will open the bleed valve and permit the pump fluid to escape from the cylinders 33 by the hose connections 35. Gravity pulling down on the tube 28, causes the plate 28 and the arm 29 to pivot forwardly. This releases the link 46, permits turning of the lever 45, lowering of the rear end of the lever 48 by lowering of the arms 47*- and the rod 41. As the forward end of the lever is held substantially at the same height for any particular adjustment, which in turn holds the pivot point 48 of the lever 48 at substantially the same height, the lowering of the rear ends of the levers 48 will cause a lowering of the forwardly extending members 43*. As these forwardly extending members 43 are rigid with the respective digger frames, it follows that the forward ends of the diggers will go down with the forwardly extending members 43 As the tractor moves forward with the forward ends of the digging mechanism lowered, the diggger points will enter the ground. With the proper setting of the speed gear shift 60, the shafts 63,

iii

the chains and the endless. carriers v55 will op- 6 crate to lift the due? earth. and since tlle earth willseparate and fall through the cross bars of the conveyor, the potatoes or other: vegetable being dug, will be separated and bedelivered on top of the ground atithe rear of the machine.

When it is desiredto' raise. the digging. means as at the edge of the field, the operative merely closes the by-pas's valve of thehydraulic pump by the operation of thepump control rod- 36!.-v This causes the hydraulic pump 36 to. pump the hydraulic fluid through.thefiexih1etube 35 to the hydraulic cylinders'33. 'Ihi'scauses the plungers 33 to be forced out, swingingi the:plate. 29' rear--' wardly about the axisill of .thewheel .30. As this turning movement takes: place; the supporting tubes 28 are raised. This causes therwhole rear portions of thediggers'itobe raised;

As this swinging of the" plate 29"- takesv place, the link 48 pulled rearwardly: This. action turns the levers 45 so that their-'topsimove'forwardly, lifting the arms 41*" and raising the'rear ends of the levers 48.

As the forward ends of the levers 48 are held, by the compression links 42, insubstantially'the same position relative'to the-frame 20, the upward movement of the rear ends of the levers =28, will raise the intermediate pivot48'. This pivot 58 as already stated, carries'the forward end of the frame-extension 43a and lifts the'forward end of the frame when thi's movement takes place.

The lower end of the compression llnks'49; be ing pivoted, at 49 on the-secondary lever5fl which is hung at its fcrward end at'5l" on the tension link 5|, and pivotally connected at its rear end at tall in the forwardly extending members 43*, is held in its limitedpath'otmovement. This vertical movement-of the forwardly ex ing member 43 which, as" described, is brought about by the forward movement of the link 43, raises the frontend'of the digger frame simultaneously with the raising ofthe'rear end. At the same time, the draft frame 44, M holds' the digger frame from undesirable forward and rearward movement and provides for the draft of the digging'means.

When it is found to be necessary 'ordesirable to adjust the depth to which the digging means will enter the ground, thehand lever 21 with its arm 2? attached to the secondary-lever 50, is moved to a new adjustment. Moving the hand lever 2? forward makes the depth of'cut below the ground siu'face'less, while'the-depth of out below ground is increased by. moving the lever 2'1 rearwardly.

In order to provide a variable-initial height for the rear end of the digger means. There isprovided an adjusting device as illustrated, in ele= vation, in Fig. 4.

Rotata'oly mounted in the'eccentric device-96, is the cross shaft'28. secured to the-eccentric device 96, is an adjusting plate tl having openings 9! which register with a corresponding opening in a plate 92 secured to'the'block'fl, A bolt or pin 93 is used' to'securethe plate 9| in its adjusted positionrelativeto the block '4! and its plate 92. This is accomplished byinsert= ing the pin 93 in the openings Ell and the open ing in the plate 92 on the block; and secur= ing the pin in place.

The eccentric is journalled lnthe slideblock 4! which has alreadybeen describedas being slidably mounted in the guides -42.

When it is desired to change the initial height of the rear end or the digger-frame. the'rearend of the machine is raised as by use of a lifting jack beneath the cross shaft 28. When sufilciently raised, the pin or bolt 93 is removed and the plate 9I rotated to bring the desired opening Eli into registration with the proper opening in plate 62, to produce the desired initial height for the rear end of the machine. The pin or bolt 93 is then replaced and the jack removed. The sliding action between the block M and its guide 42 permits of the rotation of the eccentric without causing the binding of the parts.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. '1, 8 and 9, the frame members I and I2I are similar to the corresponding members of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The same is true of the front pivot I22, the fork I23 and the caster wheel I24. The frame members I23, 22I are provided with flanges I20a, I 2Ia, separated by spacers 12011 and function in a manner similar to the flanges 20a and spacers 20b already described.

Bracket members I25 are provided with upper bearings I25a and lower bearings I251) to support the lifitng and draft frames, respectively, as will be described. A quadrant I26, having teeth I 25a, is mounted rigidly with the frame I20 and is engaged by a latch mechanism I 21a to hold the hand lever I21 in adjusted position. The lever I21 is mounted to rotate in the upper bearing I25a. An arm I2'1b forms a part of the hand lever I21 and supports, in adjustable positions, the digger lifting mechanism to be later described.

At the rear of the U-shaped frame I20, is a shaft I28 which extends across the machine and upon which are supported the digger frames. On 5 the ends of the shaft I 28 are bell crank levers I26. One arm I29a extends rearwardly from the shaft I 28 and supports the outer side of the wheel by the pivot I30a. The inner end of the pivot I30a is supported by a plate member I292; which is also rigid with the shaft I28. An arm I29c which acts as a brace, extends upwardly and forms a rigid part of the lever I29. At the upper ends of the plate 12% and the arm I 290, where they join at I3I, is pivoted the piston rod I 32 of the hydraulic cylinder I33. To give this cylinder I33 pivotal movement in a substantially vertical plane, its forward end is pivoted as at I34 to the frame 120. Hose connections I35 connect the cylinders I33 to the hydraulic pump I36 or the hose connection may connect to a pump on the tractor (not shown).

The hand operated rod I36a controls the operation of the hydraulic pump I36.

The operation of the hydraulic pump I36 and the cylinders I33 with their cooperating parts, causes a change in angular relation between the arm I29a and the frame I20. This operation is similar to that described for Figs. 1 to 3.

The drive shaft I31 with its universal joints I31a, extends through the pump I36, to operate the latter and also to operate the gearing and cooperating parts which move the elevator as will be described.

At the ends of sections of the shaft I 28 are flanges I38, between which is a spacer pad which may vary in thickness as it is desired to space the diggers closer together or farther apart. In connection with the changes in distance between diggers, it is to be noted that for any change in the thickness of the spacer I39, each of the spacers I20b will be changed accordingly but in an amount half as much.

The digger frames I40 carry the diggin mechanisms, the details of-which are not a part,

per se, of this invention. These frames are carried by and have a limited movement relative to the shaft I28 already described. The frame I40 rests upon blocks I4I which are held in place by the slide guides I42. A height-varying mechanism connects the shaft I28 with the block I and will be later described.

Frame members [400 are provided on the frame I40 to provide draft devices and also to assist in the lifting operation. Connecting the upper or forward ends of the members I400 is a cross member I43 which extends over the digger and has two forwardly projecting arms NM. The purpose of these arms will later appear.

A draft frame comprising the side members I44 and the cross member MM is provided to take care of the draft of the diggers. The forward ends of the side members I44 are connected to the lugs I25 by the pivots I251). The rear ends of the side members I44 are pivotally connected to the pivots I43b located at the ends of the cross member I43.

Fulcrumed on the pivots I43b adjacent the ends of the side members I44 are levers I45. At the lower ends of the levers I45, at I460. are pivoted the links I46 which extend rearwardly and on the outsides of the digger frames, are connected at I46b to the plates I29c of the bell crank lever I29 to cooperate in the lifting operation. The links 46 on the insides of the digger frames are pivoted to arms I28a which are mounted rigidly on the shaft I28.

From the construction described, it will be clear that when the plunger rod I 32 as shown in Fig. 8 is forced outwardly to a position as shown in Fig. 9, the links I46 will be pulled rearwardly and the levers I turned toward a substantially upright position, for a purpose to be described.

Pivotally connecting the upper or rearward ends of the levers I45, is a cross shaft I41 which carries rigidly therewith, the arms I41a. These arms I 41a, and the shaft I41, perform the function of a link, the outer or upper ends of the arms 141a, being connected to the rear ends of the levers I48 at 1480. The levers I48 are fulcrumed at the pivots I48a to the outer or forward ends of the arms or extensions I43a already described. The forward ends of the levers I48 are connected at H822, to hanger links I49, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected at Mild to the lower arm I211) of the hand adjusting lever I21.

The drive or power shaft I 31, at its rear end, is connected to the gear shift box I which operates the gears in the gear box I6I. To one elevator is connected the shaft in the housing I62-on the digger which carries the gear box I6I. A shaft I63 having universal joints I63a extends from the gear box NH and operates the digger elevator for the other digger.

On the ends of the shaft in the housing I62 and the shaft I63 are sprocket wheels I64' which drive chains I65. The chains I65 at their lower ends are mounted on sprockets I66 which, in turn, are carried by the shafts I67.

Within the sides of the digger I40 and on each shaft I61 are a pair of sprocket wheels I68 which carry the elevators I69. Since the details of the construction of the elevators are, per se, not a part of this invention, are well known in the art, and for the sake of clearness and proper illustration, the elevators have been indicated but not shown in full.

Except for the connection of the operating link, the weed clearing plow construction in the form illustrated in Figs. 7 to 9 is similar -.to that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3.

The disks I18 are supported on spindle bearings I" mounted on the plate In, to which are pivotally connected, as at II3a, a pair of forwardly extending draft bars I73. These draft bars I13 are pivotally connected, as at 413b, to lugs I 2 lb mounted on the lower sides of the forwardly extending arms I2 I.

Pivotally connected to the plate I12 are a pair of twin toggle links I74 extending upwardly and connected at their upper ends to a pin pivot I T5, to which, in turn, is connected another toggle length Ilfi and a rearwardly extending .U- shaped clevis Ill. The second toggle link is pivotally connected to a lug I2 Ic depending from the cen er of the U-shaped main frame member I2I.

The U-shaped clevis ill which, as already stated, is connected at its forward .end to the pin pivot I15, has connected to its rear end the diskdepth control rod IE8, which extends rearwardly and is pivotally connected at I180 to an arm 552 which is rigidly connected to one of the inner links I46.

This control rod I I8 carries a head Ilfla at its forward end and a collar IIBb rearwardly of the clevis 'II'I. Forwardly of the opening where the disk-depth control rod I'IB passes through the clevis ITI, is .a spring IEO which operates when and after the disks I 10 are lifted from their operative position. Between the collar E812 and the clevis I17 and surrounding the control rod I18 is a spring I 8I which is in operation. .i.-'-'

when the disks are in the ground to take the shock as when the disks may engage a stone. The spring I80 operates when the disks are raised.

As the link I46, at the inner side of one of the diggers and to which the rod I18 is attached. moves to the rear in its action to assist in rais ing the forward end of the digger, the toggle formed by the links H4 and 17-6, tends to reach an acute angle, thus lifting the disks from the ground. In the reverse operation, when the diggers are lowered, the toggle links I14 and Ilfi approach positions in line and the disks 11% are lowered.

In order to vary the height of the front end of the diggers, the use of various openings in the hanger links 49 are used for the pivot 249:1... The height of the rear of the digger is varied by a height adjusting means which will now be described.

The axle I28 is surrounded by an eccentric member I98 in which the shaft is free to turn. (See Fig. 10.) The eccentric is mounted to oscillate in the block I M already described. To the member 190 is bolted an arm I.9I having an opening at its outer end which may .be registered with any one of a series of openings I92a of a plate I92 which is securely bolted to the block I. A pin or bolt I 93 is provided to secure the arm 594 in a predetermined relation .to the plate 532 by the securing of the pin or bolt I93 in the opening of the arm I 9| and any one of the openings of the plate I 92-. From the construction, it will be clear that by turning the eccen tric I99 by its arm I8I, the height of the frame :4il will be varied relative to the axis of the shaft The operation of the lifting mechanism of the digger means follows-Assuming the digger means to be in the ground, the control rod 135a of the hydraulic pump I36 is operated which 10 starts application of pressure within the cylinders 533. As the plungers I32 are forced backwardly, the angular relation between the belli29 and the frame I20 is changed, raising the shaft I28 and lifting the rear end of the digger means.

At the same time, the bell-crank 2E pulls the link 46 rearwardly, raising the lever 245 to a nearly vertical position. This movement of the lever I45 places the cross shaft I4? at a higher position relative to the pivot I43b, thus lifting the rear end, of the lever 148, at the pivot I480, about its forward pivot I482). And since the lever #43 is pivoted at its forward end to the lower bearing I25.b of the bearing member I25, it follows that the fulcrum of the lever I48, connected to the forward end of the extension I 43 at I48a, will raise the forward end of the frame member H011 to which it is rigidly connected. And as the forward end of the frame member MM is raised, it follows that the pivot 43a will be raised, which will further act upon the connections to accentuate the upward movement.

And since during the upward movement of the forward end, the rear end is raised. both ends are raised simultaneously.

The lifting of the disks I'IO, when the digger means is raised, is similar to the lifting of the disks 7% as already described.

When it is desired to have the digger means enter the ground for vegetable digging, it is only necessary to operate the hydraulic control rod #350, to release the plungers I32. The parts return to their former positions and forward movement will cause the dig er means to enter the ground.

While a form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is merely illustrative and that modifications and changes in the conmeans for simultaneously lifting the digging means and for operating the toggle mechanism to lift the plow means.

2. A vegetable digger having a. frame, supporting wheels for the frame, a pair of digging means inrelative side-by-side positions, coacting elevating and delivery means extending from the digging means at a point forward of the wheels to the delivery point rearward of the wheels, a toggle mechanism connected to the frame and wheels and supporting .the plow means and connecting means for simultaneously lifting the digging means and for .operating the toggle mechanism to raise the plow means and adjusting de vices for independently adjusting the depth of earth penetration of the separate digging means.

3. A vegetable digger having a frame, supporting wheels for the frame, a pair of digging means in relative side-by-sifi? positions, coacting elevating and .delivery means extending from the digging means at a point forward of the wheels to the {delivery point rearward of the wheels. at

toggle mechanism connected to the frame and wheels and supporting the plow means, power means for simultaneously lifting the front and rear portions of the digging means and connec tions, including a link, between the lifting means and the toggle mechanism to lift the latter from the former.

4. A vegetable digger having a frame, supporting wheels for the frame, a digging means, coacting elevating and delivery means extending from the digging means forward of the wheels to the point of delivery of the delivery means rearward of the wheels, an adjustable means connecting the wheels and digging means for giving a variable initial adjustment to the rear of the digging means, a second adjustable means connecting the frame with the forward portion of the digging means for giving a variable adjustment to the forward end of the digging means and coacting means for lifting both ends of the digging means .i

simultaneously and in vertical relation to the wheels.

L5. A vegetable digger having a frame, supporting wheels for the frame, a digging means, coacting elevating and delivery means extending from the digging means forward of the wheels to the point of delivery of the delivery means rearward of the wheels, an adjustable means connecting the wheels and digging means for giving a variable initial adjustment to the rear and of the digging means, a second adjustable means connecting the frame with the forward portion of the digging means for giving a variable initial adjustment to the forward end of the digging means, coacting means for lifting both ends of the digging means simultaneously and power means for operating the coacting means.

6. A vegetable digger having a frame, supporting wheels for the frame, a digging means, coacting elevating and delivery means extending from the digging means forward of the wheels to the point of delivery of the delivery means rearward of the wheels, an adjustable mechanism connecting the wheels and digging means for giving a variable initial adjustment to the rear end of the digging means, a second adjustable mechanism connecting the frame with the forward portion of the digging means for giving a variable adjustment to the forward end of the digging means, coacting means for lifting both ends of the digging means simultaneously and hydraulic power mechanism for bodily lifting the digging means.

'7. A digger having supporting wheels, 9, main frame, a digger frame adjustably mounted thereon, elevating and delivery means on the digger frame, and a pre-set height-determining means between the digger frame and wheels for predetermining, while in the raised position, the height the rear of the digger frame will reach when the latter is lowered to operative position.

8. A digger having supporting Wheels, a main frame, a digger frame adjustably mounted thereon, elevating and delivery means on the digger frame lifting means between the wheels and digger frame to raise the digger frame from working position, and pre-set height-determining means for predetermining, while in the raised position, the height the rear of the digger frame will reach when the latter is lowered to operative.

position.

9. A digger having supporting wheels, a main frame, a digger frame adjustably mounted thereon, elevating and delivery means on the digge frame. the elevating means being in DQSitiQQ deliver to the delivery means, the wheels being located rearward of the receiving end of the elevating means and forward of the delivery point of the delivery means, and a height adjusting means between the Wheels and the rear portion of the main frame and digger frame to raise and lower the rear end of the digger frame from and to operative position.

10. A digger having supporting wheels, a main frame and a digger frame adjustably mounted thereon and carried at their rear ends by the wheels the frames being relatively adjustable, elevating and delivery means on the digger frame, the elevating means being in position to deliver to the delivery means, the wheels being located rearward of the receiving end of the elevating means and forward of the delivery point of the delivery means and a bell crank lever connection between the wheels and the main frame to vary the height of the main frame at will.

11. A digger having supporting wheels, a main frame and a digger frame adjustably mounted thereon and carried at their rear ends by the wheels the frames being relatively adjustable, elevating and delivery means on the digger frame, the elevating means being in position to deliver to the delivery means, the wheels being located rearward of the receiving end of the elevating means and forward of the delivery point of the delivery means and a bell crank lever connection between the wheels and the digger frame to vary the height of the digger frame.

12. A digger having supporting wheels, a main frame and a di ger frame adjustably mounted thereon and carried at their rear ends by the wheels the frames being relatively adjustable, elevating and delivery means on the digger frame. the elevating means being in position to deliver to the delivery means, the wheels being located rearward of the receiving end of the elevating means and forward of the delivery point of the delivery means, a connection between the wheels and the rear of the digger frame to vary the height of the rear of the digger frame, and con nections between the rear wheels to vary the height of the forward end of the digger frame simultaneously.

13. A digger having supporting wheels at the rear and supporting means at the forward end. a main frame. a digger frame adiustably mounted thereon, the main and digger frames being supported mainly by the rear wheels and adjustable relatively to each other, a bell crank lever connection between the wh els and the digger frame for varying the height of the rear end of the di ger frame and lever means and connections for simultaneously varying the height of the opposite end of the digger frame.

14. A digger having supporting wheels, a main frame and a digger frame adjustably mounted thereon and carried at their rear ends by the supporting wheels the frames being relatively adjustable, elevating and delivery means on the digger frame, the elevating means being in position to deliver to the delivery means, the wheels being located rearward of the receiving end of the elevating means and forward of the delivery point of the delivery means, a connection between the wheels and the rear of the digger frame to vary the height of the rear of the digger frame, ground engaging means for supporting the front ends of the main frame and digger frame and operating connections including a predeterminedly depth-setting means, between the wheels and the forward end of the digger frame to raise and 13 lower the forward end or the digger frame and to permit its entry into the earth to a predetermined depth, simultaneously with the lowering of the rear of the digger frame.

15. A digger having supporting wheels, a main frame and a digger frame adjustably mounted thereon and carried at their rear ends by the supporting wheels the frames being relatively adjustable, a plow on the digger frame, a connection between the wheels and the rear portion of the digger frame including a pre-set height-determining means for predetermining, while in raised position, the height the rear of the digger frame will reach when the latter is lowered to operative position and for raising and lowering the rear of the digger frame, and a second connection connected to the first connection, including a depth-setting adjusting device, for raising and lowering the forward end of the digger frame and plow from and to operative position at a predetermined depth of the plow below the surface of the earth.

16. A digger having a front wheel support and a rear wheel support, a main frame, a digger frame adjustably mounted thereon, elevating and delivery means on the digger frame the i4 elevating means being in position to deliver to the delivery means, the rear wheel support being located rearward of the receiving end of the elevating means and forward of the delivery point of the delivery means, a bell crank connection between the rear wheels and the main and digger frames, predetermining means for setting the connections between the wheels and frames to determine, while in the out-of-operation, position the height above and angle to the ground which will be occupied by the digger frame when in operative position.

WATSON W. TRANTER. HARRY C. HOLLINGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,209,282 Rodin July 23, 1940 2,215,516 Schooler Sept. 24, 1940 2,325,870 Mott Aug. 3, 1943 2,410,918 Acton Nov. 12, 1946 2,469,622 Acton May 10, 1949 

